Loading... Please wait...
Wine Shop
Salon Blanc de Blancs Brut Cuvee Le Mesnil 2002 (750ML)
Other Details
Critic Scores, Reviews & Descriptions
100 WE / 100 JS / 100 DE / 98 WS / 98 FS / 97 VM / 96 BH / 20 JR
The 35th and most recent vintage of Salon since the house was founded in 1905 is memorable and magnificent. Made only from Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, it combines intense minerality, a crisp textured core and the beginnings of maturity. The depths of this wine, with its layers of fruit and steeliness, are superb. Even after 12 years, it still needs to age further. Drink from 2018. Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast
One of the greatest modern Champagnes ever. The aromas are so seductive with brioche, apple tart, and flint underneath it all. Chalk and hints of metal shavings develop a minerally essence. It's full-bodied and yet tight in the center palate. The power and intensity is mesmerizing. It goes on for minutes. It's so enjoyable and intellectually stimulating to taste and it can go for decades ahead. A perfect Champagne in every way. Drink or hold.-James Suckling
Ethereal, with a refined, delicate mousse and a haunting array of flavors, from the vein of chalky minerality to ripe pastry fruit to a skein of spice and richer accents of spun honey, creamed almond and fleur de sel. The finely meshed acidity is racy and persistent, pushing the flavor range on the long and lacy finish. Lovely. Drink now through 2032." — Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator
A cool and pure nose features notes of citrus, in particular lemon rind, along with plenty of yeast, green apple, floral and iodine elements. The refined and intense middle weight flavors are shaped by an ultra-fine mousse that contributes to the sense of subtlety and finesse, all wrapped in a fantastically long and deep finish. Moreover, this is absolutely nowhere near being ready as the '02 version of Salon is going to age for years, indeed my 2022+ estimate may very well be 5 years too early. Either way, this is an estimable vintage for one of my favorite wines. - Allen Meadows, Burghound
62,000 bottles and 5,000 magnums made. Salon were the only house that didn't release a 2000, according to them. This 2002 is therefore the next vintage following their 1999. The nose is beautifully open – buttercream, bakery dough with a saline and flint character too. Impeccable but very subtle fruit. This is excellence done by degrees. There's a floral quality, and a smoky, reductive edge too. Even some honey. It's only just entering its drinking window. As is often said of the very best champagnes, this is wine first and sparkling second.-Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson
